BIO from the BAYOU: Build Your Biotech Network with Key Opinion Leaders and Investors

What’s really happening in biotech right now, and where should innovators and investors be paying attention? In this market update episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by guest host Travis Manasco, MD, for a candid conversation on the current state of biotech investing. Together, they unpack where momentum is building, where enthusiasm is cooling, and how founders, scientists, and investors s...

Want to come back from JP Morgan with more than just a stack of business cards? In this timely episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Chris Yochim, a longtime JP Morgan Healthcare Conference insider. With more than three decades of experience leading partnering strategy at AstraZeneca and Zeneca, Chris shares a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how the world’s most intense healthcare me...

How can universities become powerful engines of innovation, startups, and economic growth—especially in a challenging funding environment? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, the David & Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at the Tulane Innovation Institute and Managing Director of Tulane Ventures. Kimberly shares how Tulane is...

What if your alumni network could help fuel the next generation of biotech startups? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Evan Nicoll, MBA, and Patrick Hernandez of 1834 Ventures, a new investment fund created by Tulane alumni, for founders with Tulane DNA. They share how their alumni-powered model is helping to close regional funding gaps, strengthen emerging biotech ecosystems,...

What does the future of biotech look like when curiosity, not competition, leads the way? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, talks with Aziz Abadsafian, MBA, Technology Scout at Nissan Chemical America. Together, they dive into the “edges” of science — the more speculative world of embryology, longevity, and what Aziz calls the true frontier of biotech. Along the way, they explore how curiosi...

How can biotech startup founders navigate the intersection of science, technology, and data to build truly durable companies? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, talks with Cain McClary, MD, Founder and Managing Partner of KdT Ventures, a seed-stage venture firm investing at the convergence of science and technology. A Tulane alumnus and “supply chain junkie,” Cain shares how curiosity, data-d...

Are you tired of competition and struggling to find collaborators in biotech? In this episode, returning host Patrick Reed, RTTP, talks with Christiaan Engstrom, MBA, Founder and CEO of BLPN, a member-led club connecting life science dealmakers with one goal: helping each other succeed. Christiaan shares how BLPN has built a thriving community where collaboration, mentorship, and trust come first...

What can today’s biotech innovators learn from the greatest thinkers in history? In this special episode, we’re bringing you a live recording from BIO on the BAYOU featuring a fireside chat between Elaine Hamm, PhD, and Walter Isaacson — renowned biographer of Steve Jobs, Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, and other groundbreaking innovators. Together, they explore the power of c...

Does networking stress you out? Are you having difficulty connecting with colleagues at conferences or partnering events? Mastering the art of genuine connection is essential to advancing your career and building your network. In this listener-favorite episode, James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and Elaine Hamm, PhD, dive deep into their personal strategies for networking success. With years of experi...

From escaping Communist Romania to pioneering telemedicine in maternal health, this story redefines what it means to lead with purpose. In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Luissa Kiprono, DO, MBS, MBA, FACOG, CEO Physician and Founder of World Gateway Perinatal Consultants and TeleMed MFM, as well as author of “Push, Then Breathe: Trauma, Triumph, and the Making of an American D...

What if drug development could be faster, more efficient, and centered on what matters most to patients? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Klaus Romero, MD, CEO of the Critical Path Institute (C-Path), to explore how two decades of global collaboration have reshaped the way we bring new medicines to life. From redefining clinical endpoints to accelerating treatments for comple...

Is the future of biotech innovation at risk because of workforce shortages? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, talks with Van Ton-Quinlivan, MBA, CEO of Futuro Health and host of the WorkforceRx podcast, about how the biotech and healthcare industries can overcome the growing workforce crisis. Together, they explore how intentional workforce development, stackable credentials, and stronger pa...

What if preventing hearing loss could also help prevent dementia and other aging-related diseases? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, speaks with Celia Belline, Co-Founder and CEO of Cilcare, a biotech company pioneering therapies and analytics for hearing disorders. Celia shares how her company evolved from early research roots into a global leader tackling the connection between auditory he...

What makes the Gulf South one of the most exciting—and overlooked—regions for biotech innovation? In this special episode, Elaine Hamm, PhD (Tulane Medicine), Patrick Reed, RTTP (Auburn University), and Marcus Brown, PhD (LSU Health) come together to explore the origins, growth, and future of BIO on the BAYOU, the preeminent event showcasing biotech across the Gulf South. From its beginnings as a...

How can we fix a healthcare system that has too often overlooked women? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, speaks with Georgie Kovacs, MBA, Founder and CEO of Fempower Health, about her mission to empower women through evidence-based information and community support. Georgie shares her journey from personal experience with endometriosis to building a trusted platform that connects women with...

How do you turn world-class science into sustainable biotech companies that grow both patients’ futures and local economies? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, speaks with Dave Ousterout, PhD, Co-Founder and General Partner of Cape Fear BioCapital. Drawing from his journey as a biotech entrepreneur and now investor, Dave shares how his team is working to transform North Carolina’...

What do biotech boards want to see in a CEO—and what mistakes can quickly derail a company’s success? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Mark Corrigan, MD, one of the most experienced and respected leaders in the biotech industry. From shaping the development of blockbuster drugs to serving as CEO and board member for multiple companies, Mark has a unique perspective on the int...

How can healthcare investment banking put patients—not just profits—at the center of biotech deals? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, speaks with Sam Libby, President and Managing Director of TCB Capital Advisors. Drawing from more than $20 billion in transactions across therapeutics, diagnostics, and digital health, Sam explains how TCB’s unique advisory model partners with com...

How can biotech leaders navigate the complexities of neurodegenerative research while tackling today’s funding challenges? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, welcomes Vikas Sharma, PhD, Chief Business Officer at QurAlis, for an insightful conversation on innovation, leadership, and fundraising in the biotech sector. Drawing from his extensive experience with ALS and neurodegeneration research...

How did a podcast that started as a simple experiment become a trusted voice in biotech conversations? In this special 100th episode, co-hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, take a step back to reflect on the BIO from the BAYOU journey. From the early days of experimenting with format to connecting with some of the most influential voices in biotech, they share behind-the-sce...

Can artificial intelligence map your heart and help prevent strokes, dementia, and even death from cardiac arrhythmias? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, talks with Rob Krummen, JD, CEO of Vektor Medical, and Travis Manasco, MD, Principal at Solas BioVentures, about how AI is changing the game for diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders. They share how Vektor’s vMap technology — the “...

How can biotech companies stay resilient and competitive when public sector funding becomes unpredictable? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sits down with Adeyinka “Adey” Pierce-Watkins, MS, PMP—Director of Biodefense and Government Contracting at BDO USA—for a timely conversation on surviving and thriving in today’s evolving federal funding landscape. From defense contracts to...

What does it really take to land a successful biotech partnership—and what makes a deal fall apart? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Renee Williams, PhD, MBA, Founder and Managing Partner of Williams Biotech Consulting and Independent Board Director for AGS Therapeutics. With experience across major pharma companies like Eli Lilly and Janssen, Renee shares hard-earned insight...

What happens when patients can’t afford the medicine you’ve worked so hard to create? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Vinay Patel, PharmD—Chief Pharmacy Officer at Proactive MD and Founder of MakoRx—to unpack the hidden complexities behind drug pricing, access, and affordability. Together, they explore how traditional insurance models impact patient care, and what drug devel...

Wondering how to stand out in the crowded biotech world and build credibility that opens doors? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, explore the power of personal branding for biotech professionals. Whether you’re a startup founder, academic researcher, or key opinion leader, your brand can shape your career, attract collaborators, and grow your influence. Wi...